In an article for abc 13 melanie rech the laboratory director at emsl analytical examined swabs taken from personal and communal yoga mats mats from the local yoga studio came back the cleanest with 3 million counts of normal environmental bacteria writes ktrk houston.
Cleaning a dirty yoga mat.
If you sweat a lot or the mat retains an odor clean it more often though some mats caution that over cleaning can cause them to wear out more quickly.
A yoga mat is a perfect incubator for many of our skin infections said lahita.
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Use a solution of warm water and a mild detergent such as dish soap.
So just how dirty is your yoga mat.
After every session use a clean towel to wipe down your mat to remove sweat and any loose surface soil.
Try manduka mat wash.
How often to clean a yoga mat.
The yoga mat is a very fertile source for infection mainly because people sweat on them and they rarely are.
Soak your yoga mat.
When heavy soil is evident or at least monthly the mat should be cleaned to remove odor and help preserve the life of the mat.
Make sure to clean both sides of your yoga mat and let the solution set on it long enough for the mat to air dry or for however long the maker of your spray suggests before cleaning it.
Cleaning your yoga mat should be one of the rituals you bring into your yoga practice a plethora of bacteria viruses and microbes are being transported on to the floor of your beautiful yoga studio daily and lying face down in child s pose with all those cooties is going to have you contract a cold at some point if not worse.